How to Buy a Firearm in Texas

A buyer must meet the applicable age, identification, residency and legal-eligibility requirements. Federal law prohibits firearm possession or receipt by several categories of people, and Texas law can impose additional restrictions.

Do not guess about eligibility. A criminal history, protective order, immigration status, controlled-substance issue, military record or other circumstance can require legal review. Texas Guns cannot provide an individual legal determination before the required process is completed.

Generally, no. A firearm purchased from an out-of-state seller is shipped to a Federal Firearms Licensee in the buyer’s state of residence. The buyer then completes the required in-person transfer before taking possession.

1. Choose the firearm from the online seller.
2. Select Texas Guns as the receiving FFL.
3. Have the seller provide the required dealer documentation.
4. Wait for Texas Guns to notify you that the firearm is checked in and ready.
5. Complete the transfer personally at Texas Guns.

See the Texas Guns FFL Transfer Service.

An FFL transfer is the licensed dealer process used to receive, record and lawfully transfer a firearm to the eligible buyer. It commonly applies to online purchases, dealer-to-dealer shipments, interstate acquisitions and voluntary private-party transfers handled through a dealer.

The firearm is logged into the dealer’s records, the buyer’s identification is verified, Form 4473 is completed, the required eligibility check is performed and the firearm is released only when all requirements and store policies are satisfied.

Important distinction: Texas does not require every lawful transfer between two unlicensed Texas residents to be processed by an FFL. However, a private person may not transfer a firearm to someone they know or have reasonable cause to believe is prohibited, and interstate transfers generally must use an FFL. Many people voluntarily use a dealer for documentation and added confidence.

The dealer must verify the buyer’s identity and residence using valid government-issued identification. A Texas driver license or Texas identification card showing the buyer’s current residence address is the most common option.

If the photo ID does not show the current residence address or legal name, qualifying supplemental documents must also be government-issued. Contact Texas Guns before arriving so we can explain what documentation may be acceptable for your circumstances.

Active-duty military members can have different residency-documentation rules involving military identification and permanent-change-of-station orders.

After the buyer completes and certifies Form 4473, the dealer contacts the National Instant Criminal Background Check System when a check is required. Common responses include:

• Proceed: The federal system authorizes the dealer to continue, subject to all other requirements.
• Delayed: Additional research is needed. A delay is not an approval and does not guarantee a particular release date.
• Denied: The transfer cannot proceed. The FBI provides a process through which an affected person may request the reason and challenge an erroneous denial.

Some buyers under 21 can be subject to an enhanced federal review that extends the transaction timeline. Release timing always follows applicable law and Texas Guns policy.

No. A valid qualifying Texas License to Carry can be used as an alternative to the separate NICS check for an eligible transaction, but the buyer must still personally complete Form 4473 and satisfy every other transfer requirement.

The Texas LTC also provides benefits beyond firearm purchasing, including training, identification uses and reciprocity in jurisdictions that recognize the Texas license. Explore Texas Guns training and LTC options.

No representative—including a spouse, relative or friend—may simply complete the transfer or collect the firearm for the person named as the buyer. The actual transferee must appear, provide identification and personally complete Form 4473.

Lawful gifts can involve different facts, but purchasing a firearm on behalf of someone who supplied the money or is the true buyer can create a prohibited straw-purchase issue. Tell us the complete situation before purchasing so the transaction can be structured lawfully.

A handgun or other non-long-gun acquired from an out-of-state source generally must be transferred through an FFL in the buyer’s state of residence. Federal law can allow an in-person long-gun transfer to a nonresident when the transaction complies with the laws of both states, but individual dealer policy may be more restrictive.

Contact Texas Guns before ordering or traveling if your current residence is outside Texas or your identification does not clearly establish Texas residency.

Silencers, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, machineguns, destructive devices and certain other weapons can be subject to additional federal classification, registration and transfer rules. The exact requirements depend on the item, transferee and current legal status.

Because federal NFA rules and active litigation can change the process, Texas Guns follows the requirements and agency guidance in effect at the time of transfer. Read the current Texas Guns NFA Ruling Update or browse silencers.

• Read the manufacturer’s manual before loading or firing the firearm.
• Learn the controls, safe loading and unloading procedure, and correct ammunition.
• Select secure storage that prevents unauthorized access, particularly by children.
• Keep a private record of the make, model and serial number in a secure location.
• Complete professional training and practice safe handling consistently.
• Learn where possession and carry are prohibited before carrying in public.

Texas Guns offers beginner, private, defensive, small-group and Texas License to Carry instruction. View current courses.

No. Texas law permits certain eligible people to carry a handgun without an LTC in many circumstances, but permitless carry did not eliminate the License to Carry program, location restrictions or the value of formal training.

A Texas LTC can provide reciprocity, certain statutory protections, training and the purchasing benefit described above. Every person carrying a firearm is responsible for understanding current eligibility, prohibited locations, signage and manner-of-carry rules.